Doxorubicin affects expression of the ZFP36 and CTTN genes in MCF7 cell line

Doxorubicin (DXR) is used in breast cancer therapy, and may change transcriptional profile of cells.Tristetraprolin (TTP) is an mRNA-decay protein, which is downregulated in cancer, inhibits invasion and is suggested as a positive prognostic marker.Migration and invasion require the presence of TKS4, TKS5, N-WASP, WIP and CTTN proteins.The investigation of how doxorubicin may regulate these targets is important for understanding its impact on tumor.Aim.The study aims to investigate the effect of doxorubicin treatment of MCF7 cells on the expression of ZFP36, SH3PXD2A, CTTN, SH3PXD2B, WIPF1 and WASL genes coding for TTP, TKS4, TKS5, N-WASP, WIP and CTTN proteins correspondingly.Methods.Cell culture, RT-qPCR, western-blotting and Alamar Blue assay are used in this study.Results.DXR increases both mRNA and protein levels of TTP, which may limit its use as a prognostic marker; it also affects the expression of CTTN, but does not affect SH3PXD2A, SH3PXD2B, WIPF1 and WASL.The observed effect is likely an overall response to DNA damage.Conclusion.Doxorubicin significantly affects the expression of ZFP36 and CTTN genes in MCF7 cells, and further investigations are needed to reveal its effects on the cancer cells physiology.